Iqama Renewal Fees in Saudi Arabia (2022)

Iqama Renewal Process

Saudi Arabia now allows the issuance and renewal of Iqama on a quarterly basis. Previously, this was only possible on an annual basis. Payment of the work permit fee as well as the Iqama fee is required for Iqama renewal. A valid health insurance policy is also a prerequisite to renewing Iqama. Also, if an expatriate resident sponsors dependents, he must pay the dependent fee to renew his and their Iqama.

House drivers (Saiq Khas), home-makers, and other domestic workers are exempt from paying the work permit fee. Small businesses with fewer than nine employees, including a full-time Saudi employer, are also exempt from paying the expatriate fee for two employees. The fee exemption will increase to four workers if the workers include one Saudi citizen in addition to the full-time employer.

After paying all of the aforementioned fees, the employer can renew his employees’ iqamas online through the Absher or Muqeem portals.

Iqama Issuance and Renewal Fee

• Iqama Fee for 3 months: SR 163
• Iqama Fee for 6 months: SR 325
• Iqama Fee for 9 months: SR 488
• Iqama Fee for 1 year: SR 650

Work Permit Fee (Maktab Amal Fee)

The monthly work permit fee in Saudi Arabia is SR 800. This can be paid for a minimum of three months.

• Maktab Amal fee for 3 months: SR 2,400.
• Maktab Amal fee for 6 months: SR 4,800.
• Maktab Amal fee for 9 months: SR 7,200.
• Maktab Amal fee for 1 year: SR 9,600.

Expat Dependent Fee (Dependent Levy)

Expat residents in Saudi Arabia are required to pay the dependent fee of SR 400 per month per dependent.

• Dependent Fee for 3 months: SR 1,200/dependent.
• Dependent Fee for 6 months: SR 2,400/dependent.
• Dependent Fee for 9 months: SR 3,600/dependent.
• Dependent Fee for 1 year: SR 4,800/dependent.

Iqama Expiration Penalty

Failure to renew an Iqama will result in an SR 500 first-time penalty and an SR 1,000 second-time penalty. In addition, the holder of an iqama will face a fine and deportation in the event of third-time expiry.

Who is responsible for renewing the iqama, the employer or the employee?

The employer is responsible for renewing the iqama of his employees. According to Article 40 (1) of the Saudi Labour Law, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay the Iqama renewal and issuance fees. Article 144 of the Saudi Labour Law states that it is the employer’s responsibility to provide health care and insurance to each employee.